You’ve got the wings marinating. The beer is chilling in a cooler that’s definitely too small for the haul you bought. But then it hits you: what time does the super bowl start exactly? If you wait until the actual kickoff to sit down, you’ve already missed the best parts. Trust me, nobody wants to be the person double-parking their truck while the national anthem is finishing up.
Super Bowl LX is slated for Sunday, February 8, 2026.
The official word from the NFL and NBC is that kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. ET. But "6:30" is a bit of a moving target in the world of live sports broadcasting. Usually, the ball doesn't actually fly through the air until 6:38 p.m. or even 6:42 p.m. because, well, commercials and ceremony.
Time Zones: Don't Do the Math Wrong
Living in California? You're basically watching a matinee. If you're on the East Coast, you're looking at a late night that probably requires an extra cup of coffee on Monday morning.
Here is the breakdown for the major U.S. time zones:
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- Eastern Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Central Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 4:30 p.m.
- Pacific Time: 3:30 p.m.
The game is happening at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. That’s the home of the 49ers. Since it’s a West Coast game, the stadium will still be bathed in that golden afternoon sun when the whistle blows. It’s a vibe.
Why the Pre-Game Show is Actually Worth Your Time
Honestly, most people treat the pre-game like background noise. Don't. NBC is planning to start their "Road to the Super Bowl" coverage as early as 1:00 p.m. ET. That is five and a half hours of hype.
Why bother? Because this year’s lineup is actually decent. Charlie Puth is taking on the National Anthem. Love him or hate him, the guy has perfect pitch, so at least we won't have any cringey flat notes during the high parts of "The Star-Spangled Banner." We've also got Brandi Carlile singing "America the Beautiful" and Coco Jones performing "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
If you care about the pageantry—the flyovers, the coin toss with some NFL legend who looks like they could still suit up, the tears during the anthem—you need to be on your couch by 6:00 p.m. ET.
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The Bad Bunny Factor (The Halftime Show)
Let's talk about the real reason half the room is watching. Bad Bunny is headlining the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. This is massive. He’s the first solo Latin artist to headline the gig.
Because the first half of a Super Bowl usually runs long due to those $7 million commercials, don't expect the "Benito" spectacle to start until around 8:15 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. ET.
If the game is a blowout, the halftime show is the peak. If the game is a nail-biter, the halftime show is just a 15-minute window for you to frantically refill the buffalo chicken dip. Plan your kitchen runs accordingly.
Where to Actually Watch Without a Cable Bill
You don’t need a $100 cable subscription to see this. NBC has the rights this year.
- The Old School Way: Get a digital antenna. Seriously. It’s 2026, and over-the-air signals are still the most reliable way to watch without a 30-second "internet lag" that lets your neighbor scream "TOUCHDOWN" while your screen is still showing a huddle.
- The Streaming Way: Peacock is the home for the digital stream. If you have a subscription, you’re golden.
- The Mobile Way: The NFL+ app usually carries the game for phone and tablet viewing, though they love to block "casting" to your TV to protect the networks.
- The Spanish Broadcast: Telemundo is handling the Spanish-language call for those who prefer a bit more energy in their play-by-play.
The "Monday Morning" Reality
Most Super Bowls wrap up around 10:00 p.m. or 10:15 p.m. ET. That assumes no overtime. Remember the 2024 game? That went deep into the night. If we get another OT thriller in Santa Clara, you might be looking at an 11:00 p.m. finish.
If you're hosting, make sure you have the "hangover breakfast" items ready for yourself.
Actionable Checklist for Super Bowl Sunday:
- Check your signal on Friday. Don't wait until Sunday at 6:00 p.m. to find out your antenna is acting up or your Peacock login expired.
- Sync the snacks. Aim to have the heavy food (wings, sliders) ready by 6:15 p.m. ET. You want people eating during the anthem so they're quiet for the kickoff.
- The "Quiet Window." From 6:25 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. ET, the TV volume goes up, and the kitchen chatter should go down. That’s the sweet spot for the start of the game.
Now you know exactly when the clock starts. All that's left is to hope the game actually lives up to the $7 million ad slots.